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Poll: What will happen to KudoZ when askers are given the option to ask "not-for-points" questions?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Aug 9, 2005

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What will happen to KudoZ when askers are given the option to ask "not-for-points" questions?".

View the poll here

A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629


 
Claudia Iglesias
Claudia Iglesias  Identity Verified
Chile
Local time: 17:18
Member (2002)
Spanish to French
+ ...
Very interesting poll Aug 9, 2005

Good idea Subhamay!

 
Siegfried Armbruster
Siegfried Armbruster  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 21:18
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
Could you please provide an example Aug 9, 2005

What do you mean with a "not for points" question?

A very easy question? This is an option that already exists.

A question that has nothing to do with translation terms?
Use the forums, for this kind of questions.

Or are you asking for help but with the express statement that nobody should expect a reward in the form of Kudoz? What is this good for?

I am slowly getting the impression that there is a continous rush against Kudoz going on?
... See more
What do you mean with a "not for points" question?

A very easy question? This is an option that already exists.

A question that has nothing to do with translation terms?
Use the forums, for this kind of questions.

Or are you asking for help but with the express statement that nobody should expect a reward in the form of Kudoz? What is this good for?

I am slowly getting the impression that there is a continous rush against Kudoz going on?

IMO there is nothing wrong with the system as it was or is. Not even the unlimited number of questions annoyed me. I always looked at it as a nice feature that helped me to improve my language skills.

I enjoy it to see all the funny/stupid/intelligent/brilliant and what so ever answers and the corresponding comments.

Sometimes when I have pressure I do not look at Kudoz at all.

Please explain, what do you mean with "not for points" questions?
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Subhamay Ray (X)
Subhamay Ray (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 01:48
English to Bengali
+ ...
The reason is simple... Aug 9, 2005

Dear Sarmb,

The point I tried to make is simple enough and there is no complexity in it. If Kudoz is all about helping a fellow translator, why do we need a reward in the form of points? Perhaps I can quote from one of my earlier postings in the forum:

"Everyone here talks of cooperation and helping others and what they have found from Kudoz. My question is why should we have to think of gaining something for us while helping others? Isn't the process of helping and al
... See more
Dear Sarmb,

The point I tried to make is simple enough and there is no complexity in it. If Kudoz is all about helping a fellow translator, why do we need a reward in the form of points? Perhaps I can quote from one of my earlier postings in the forum:

"Everyone here talks of cooperation and helping others and what they have found from Kudoz. My question is why should we have to think of gaining something for us while helping others? Isn't the process of helping and all that it entails -- to solve a problem, to find a word, to reach for an illusive idea reward enough?"

What does the word "help" mean?


Sincere regards,

Subhamay
P.S. Thanks, Claudia!



[Edited at 2005-08-09 16:29]
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Henry Dotterer
Henry Dotterer
Local time: 16:18
SITE FOUNDER
A "not for points" option is soon to be released Aug 9, 2005

We will soon provide askers with the option of asking questions for which no points will be awarded. It will still be possible to ask for-points questions; the decision will be left to the asker.

Prospective answerers will be informed as to for-points/not-for-points status in the KudoZ list page, in notifications, when answering, and so forth. It will also be possible to subscribe to for-points questions only, to not-for-points questions only, or to both. So basically, everyone gets
... See more
We will soon provide askers with the option of asking questions for which no points will be awarded. It will still be possible to ask for-points questions; the decision will be left to the asker.

Prospective answerers will be informed as to for-points/not-for-points status in the KudoZ list page, in notifications, when answering, and so forth. It will also be possible to subscribe to for-points questions only, to not-for-points questions only, or to both. So basically, everyone gets more choices in what kind of KudoZ world they wish to work.

Today's poll, a revised version of what Subhamay proposed, is a chance for members to predict the effect this option will have. The results are fascinating to me... and as the person who created KudoZ, I find myself very much in the minority on this poll...
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Kirill Semenov
Kirill Semenov  Identity Verified
Ukraine
Local time: 22:18
Member (2004)
English to Russian
+ ...
Limitations for "points" and unlimited "non-for-points" Aug 9, 2005

Dear Henry,

I just want to propose that the current limitations on the mumber of questions per day were applied for "for-points" kudoZ questions only. As an alternative, askers could ask more questions at the "non-for-points" area -- and this may be a great way for a peaceful compromise between those who advocate and oppose the recent kudoZ questions limitation.


 
Nikki Graham
Nikki Graham  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:18
Spanish to English
Not keen on this idea Aug 10, 2005

Kirill Semenov wrote:

Dear Henry,

I just want to propose that the current limitations on the mumber of questions per day were applied for "for-points" kudoZ questions only. As an alternative, askers could ask more questions at the "non-for-points" area -- and this may be a great way for a peaceful compromise between those who advocate and oppose the recent kudoZ questions limitation.


I don't think that would be a compromise, and neither would it necessarily be peaceful! I think the idea of the "not-for-points" is to create an area where there will be no point-chasers and no freeloaders, so if you tell people they can ask as many questions as they like in the "not-for-points" area, it would just be inundated with them (although they might not get answered).

Frankly I don't feel that dividing Kudoz this way is a good idea. I think it should be all questions for points or eliminate the points altogether and try to find another way of listing people. If we keep the points, perhaps newcomers to proz could be given some points to make up for the number of years they have "missed" answering Kudoz questions, based on their years of experience maybe, or the fact that they have credentials, or.... That way they wouldn't start off with 0 and feel the need to point chase.


 
Neal Witkowski
Neal Witkowski  Identity Verified
Germany
German to English
+ ...
Suggestion Aug 10, 2005

What about an option for the asker to delay the display of answers?

It seems all too often the first 2-3 responses are hasty and many never even look at a question if they see there are already a few answers.

Regards,
Neal


 
Cristina Heraud-van Tol
Cristina Heraud-van Tol  Identity Verified
Peru
Local time: 15:18
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Won't work good Aug 10, 2005

I guess it's very gentle and honest to help people with several answers, but let's face it: many only do it because you have the possibility of obtaining points, and the more Kudoz ponints, the more interest of clients in your profile. I guess less people will answer, because only those really caring will do. But the quality of answers will be bettre because if such person is interested in giving an answer he /she will make sure it's a right one. But again, very few people will get answers to th... See more
I guess it's very gentle and honest to help people with several answers, but let's face it: many only do it because you have the possibility of obtaining points, and the more Kudoz ponints, the more interest of clients in your profile. I guess less people will answer, because only those really caring will do. But the quality of answers will be bettre because if such person is interested in giving an answer he /she will make sure it's a right one. But again, very few people will get answers to their questions if no points are awarded.Collapse


 
Kirill Semenov
Kirill Semenov  Identity Verified
Ukraine
Local time: 22:18
Member (2004)
English to Russian
+ ...
Less chance to receive an answer Aug 10, 2005

Yes, Nikki, I understand your arguments, but in the potential "not-for-points" area askers will be less likely to receive answers. Moreover, without giving points, askers won't be able to boast that they are sorta benefactors who mercifully grant points to kudoZ addicts. So I think making the kudoZ zone also a "non-restricted" is worth trying, at least. Just to see how it will go.... See more
Yes, Nikki, I understand your arguments, but in the potential "not-for-points" area askers will be less likely to receive answers. Moreover, without giving points, askers won't be able to boast that they are sorta benefactors who mercifully grant points to kudoZ addicts. So I think making the kudoZ zone also a "non-restricted" is worth trying, at least. Just to see how it will go.Collapse


 
Henry Dotterer
Henry Dotterer
Local time: 16:18
SITE FOUNDER
Interesting suggestion, Kirill Aug 10, 2005

Kirill Semenov wrote:

Yes, Nikki, I understand your arguments, but in the potential "not-for-points" area askers will be less likely to receive answers. Moreover, without giving points, askers won't be able to boast that they are sorta benefactors who mercifully grant points to kudoZ addicts. So I think making the kudoZ zone also a "non-restricted" is worth trying, at least. Just to see how it will go.


Thanks for the suggestion. We are all for experimenting. There have been no shortage of proposals for what should be done after limits are hit, and yours was an interesting addition. We'll have some options to try soon.


 
Henry Dotterer
Henry Dotterer
Local time: 16:18
SITE FOUNDER
Thanks, Neal! Aug 10, 2005

Neal Witkowski wrote:

What about an option for the asker to delay the display of answers?

It seems all too often the first 2-3 responses are hasty and many never even look at a question if they see there are already a few answers.


Also interesting! We'll consider this in a future release. In this release, we'll be focusing on basic asker options, such as limiting a question to those working in the pair, etc.


 
Nikki Graham
Nikki Graham  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:18
Spanish to English
question for Henry Aug 10, 2005

Henry wrote:

Prospective answerers will be informed as to for-points/not-for-points status in the KudoZ list page, in notifications, when answering, and so forth. It will also be possible to subscribe to for-points questions only, to not-for-points questions only, or to both. So basically, everyone gets more choices in what kind of KudoZ world they wish to work.


How will you stop people from posting their question twice -as a for-points and as a not-for-points option-? As an asker, how am I expected to make the decision to post it as for points or not? Why would I want to limit any possible answers to those from people who only look at questions with points or to those from people who only look at questions without? I cannot see any advantages for an asker here... could someone perhaps enlighten me?


 
Henry Dotterer
Henry Dotterer
Local time: 16:18
SITE FOUNDER
It is a simple matter of preference Aug 10, 2005

Nikki wrote:

How will you stop people from posting their question twice -as a for-points and as a not-for-points option-?


I don't expect members to do this, but if they do we would perhaps make a rule and enforce it. I don't anticipate a problem on this count.

Why would I want to limit any possible answers to those from people who only look at questions with points or to those from people who only look at questions without? I cannot see any advantages for an asker here...


If the community were to become split, with half of answerers only considering for-points questions, and half of the answerers only considering not-for-points questions, it would indeed put askers in an awkward position.

Our expectation is that it will not happen that way. I expect that most members will continue to consider both types of question.

If it happens that way, this will really be more of a cultural experiment. Some people believe that not-for-points KudoZ will have a different tone, which in turn will be agreeable to a different set of people. As long as we don't see a community split, the question will not be which is better, but simply which you prefer. (Vanilla or chocolate?)

As an asker, how am I expected to make the decision to post it as for points or not?


Simple preference. If you don't have an opinion now, perhaps you'll develop one after seeing how not-for-points works out in practice.


 
NatalieD
NatalieD
French
+ ...
Comment to Henry - posting a question twice Aug 16, 2005

Nikki Graham wrote:

How will you stop people from posting their question twice -as a for-points and as a not-for-points option-? As an asker, how am I expected to make the decision to post it as for points or not? Why would I want to limit any possible answers to those from people who only look at questions with points or to those from people who only look at questions without? I cannot see any advantages for an asker here... could someone perhaps enlighten me?


I agree with Nikki. When I ask a question, I hope as many translators as possible will see it. I am quite sure that there will be good translators on both sides of this "fence" and I would therefore be very tempted to post my question twice to cover all bases.


 
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Poll: What will happen to KudoZ when askers are given the option to ask "not-for-points" questions?






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